10 Tips for successful school visits:
- Read 3 to 5 of James’ books to students.
- Have students write and illustrate stories of their own that are inspired by James’ books.
- Create art projects inspired by James’ books (crafting storytelling hats/Aunt Flossie’s Hats, or conduct an in-depth study of James’ artistic influences.
- Have music teacher discuss period music and dances from James’ books (60’s/Red Dancing Shoes, Blues/Uncle Jed’s Barbershop, Rap/Your Move).
- Have students write a book review of one of James’ books.
- Using landmarks, have students create a quilt map of how they would travel to and from school. (Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, Secret of the Stones).
- Create a family tree (Quinnie Blue, Aunt Flossie’s Hats).
- Have two classes participate in the process of creating a children’s book: each class writes a story for the other class to illustrate.
- Research and write about a former Negro league team from your state. (Satchel Paige)
- Using cutouts, convert your classroom, hallway or school into a theme from one of James’ books (a hummingbird or sunflower garden, a baseball stadium, a New Orleans street scene…).